Viterra takes on 12 month lease of Taragoro site

The existing Viterra network has been enhanced this harvest with the company taking over the lease of the Taragoro grain storage facility near Rudall for 12 months.

The 100,000 tonne site was established in 2009 as a joint venture between FREE Eyre and 19 local farmer shareholders to enhance competition and increase storage for the Eyre Peninsula.

But about two months ago the EP Storage board decided to close the site because of the difficulty in competing as a third party grain storage and handling business in the current environment.

FREE Eyre CEO Mark Rodda, says his company decided to close the site about two months ago, but after negotiations with Viterra it will stay open.

"We think it's a really sensible and logical and commercial outcome that will benefit particularly those farmers that were the original shareholders and investors in the business.

"They will be able to have access to that site still, they'll have access to the turnaround times and the increased capacity - so it's a good outcome for the farmers in that central Eyre Peninsula region."